Process for preparation of citalopram and enantiomers

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a process for preparation of 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran car-bonitrile comprising reacting a compound of formula IVa, in the presence of a base with a compound of formula RX, 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         
           
             wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl which may be optionally substituted with electron withdrawing groups and X is selected from F, Cl, Br, I, CN, OTf and OR 1 , wherein Tf represents trifluoromethanesulfonyl group, and R 1  is optionally substituted alkyl, Z is a cyano group or a group that may be converted to a cyano group; 
             further wherein RX is selected such that an intermediate ether derivative, a compound of formula Va formed from said reaction cyclizes to a compound of formula VI, 
           
         
       
    
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         
           
             and where Z is not a cyano group, conversion of the group Z in the compound of formula VI to a cyano group to form 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile. The present invention also provides novel ether compound, a compound of formula Va and a process for preparation thereof.

This is a Continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/024,492, which is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 11/660,742 filed Feb. 22, 2007, which is a National Stage Application filed under §371 of PCT Application No. PCT/IN2005/000276 filed Aug. 12, 2005 which claims benefit of priority to IN 912/MUM/2004 filed Aug. 23, 2004, the entire disclosure(s) of the prior application(s), application Ser. No. 11/660,742 is considered part of the disclosure of the accompanying continuation-in-part application and is hereby incorporated by reference.

The invention provides a process for preparation of (RS)-(±)-1-[3-(di-methylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile (a compound of formula I, INN name for the compound is citalopram) and its enantiomers viz., (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile (a compound of formula II, known as (S)-(+)-citalopram or escitalopram) and (R)-(−)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran car-bonitrile (a compound of formula III) and acid addition salts thereof.

More particularly, the invention provides a process for preparation of citalopram or its enantiomers via novel ether intermediate compounds.

Citalopram was first disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,193 and (S)-(+)-citalopram in USRE 34,712 (the '712 patent).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,650,884 teaches use of the diol, viz., 4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)-benzonitrile, a compound of formula IV in racemic form, which is cyclized in presence of H₂SO₄ to obtain citalopram (Scheme I).

The '712 patent teaches preparation of (S)-(+)-citalopram, a compound of formula II by using the enantiomeric diol compound of formula IV, viz., (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)-benzonitrile, which is derivatized to obtain a labile ester thereof like methanesulfonyl, p-toluenesulfonyl, 10-camphorsulfonyl, trifluoroacetyl or trifluoromethanesulfonyl. The labile ester derivative is cyclized stereoselectively, in presence of a base to obtain the (+)-isomer, namely (S)-(+)-citalopram (Scheme II). When the '712 process was followed by us escitalopram oxalate was obtained with chiral purity of less than 99.2%.

Lundbeck's patent U.S. Pat. No. 7,112,686 discloses a ring closure of R-cyano diol (R isomer of compound of Formula IV) under acidic conditions resulting in a mixture of isomers of compound of Formula I with a surplus of S isomer. In accordance with the claims in the patent, upon subjecting the mixture to repeated crystallization, racemic citalopram is separated, leaving behind almost pure escitalopram in the mother liquor. In examples escitalopram having a chiral purity of 99.9% can be obtained and is disclosed. However, apparently the product of first crystallization is mixture of isomers or after repeated crystallizations a racemic citalopram and escitalopram yields from the mother liquor are therefore low. Therefore this is not a commercially feasible route for the commercial preparation of escitalopram in high yields.

Lundbeck's US patent application US 2005/0065207 claims liquid chromatographic separation of enantiomers of citalopram or intermediates thereof using chiral stationary phase. It discloses separation of (S) bromodiol from the racemic bromodiol and separation of (S) bromocitalopram from the racemic bromocitalopram using chiral chromatography. However, chiral chromatographic separations are tedious and normally avoided on industrial scale. Example 5 discloses cyanation of (+)bromocitalopram derivative to obtain escitalopram of 99.6% e.e with 80% yield in this step.

WO 03/051861 (assignee: Lundbeck) claims methods of resolving diols other than cyanodiol for example bromodiol. WO 05/047274 discloses and claims a process for preparation of escitalopram.

The prior art strategies are based on cyclization of the diol under acidic conditions to obtain citalopram or derivatization through a labile ester derivative and cyclization in presence of a base to obtain (S)-(+)-citalopram. These processes of prior art have following disadvantages when the process is to be scaled-up for industrial use:

-   1. Cyclization of the diol at higher temperature using acids     generates amide, acid, indene by-products leading to formation of     impure product. -   2. Use of the labile esters demonstrated for making enantiomers of     citalopram requires use of a reactive agents like methanesulfonyl     chloride which could give rise bismesylates and thus could lead to     the formation of undesired impurities. -   3. For preparation of the labile esters, organic bases like     triethylamine, pyridine are used as proton scavengers, the undesired     labile esters of tertiary alcohol group formed under the reaction     condition can proceed via non-concerted manner resulting in     chirality perturbation and impurity formation. The excess of base     employed can also participate in displacing the reactive ester to     form the corresponding ammonium derivatives due to its inherent     nucleophilicity. -   4. The labile ester is sensitive to moisture, temperature, resulting     in decomposition.

There is a need for a convenient, robust process for efficient preparation of citalopram and enantiomers thereof. The present invention provides such a process for preparation of citalopram and enantiomers thereof by use of the racemic or enantiomeric diol intermediate, which is derivatized to obtain an ether derivative thereof, which can be cyclised in-situ to obtain citalopram or enantiomers thereof. The ether derivatives are formed at the primary alcohol group of the diol intermediate by reacting with aryls, heteroaryls or alkyls optionally substituted with electron withdrawing groups.

None of the prior arts provide (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or Escitalopram with chiral purity greater than 99.8% obtained in more than 50% yield based on (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile or an equivalent precursor thereof, without chiral chromatographic separation of (±)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or its precursors. We have found that the process of the present invention provides such escitalopram of high chiral purity in high yields without the need for chiral chromatographic separation.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a process for preparation of 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile comprising reacting a compound of formula IVa, in the presence of a base with a compound of formula RX,

wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl which may be optionally substituted with electron withdrawing groups and X is selected from F, Cl, Br, I, CN, OTf and OR₁, wherein Tf represents trifluoromethanesulfonyl group, and R₁ is optionally substituted alkyl, Z is a cyano group or a group that may be converted to a cyano group; further wherein RX is selected such that an intermediate ether derivative, a compound of formula Va formed from said reaction cyclizes to a compound of formula VI,

and where Z is not a cyano group, conversion of the group Z in the compound of formula VI to a cyano group to form 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile.

The present invention in one embodiment provides a process for preparation of 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile comprising reacting 4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile, in the presence of a base, with a compound of formula RX, wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl which may be optionally substituted with electron withdrawing groups and X is selected from F, Cl, Br, I, CN, OTf and OR₁, wherein Tf represents trifluoromethanesulfonyl group, and R₁ is optionally substituted alkyl; further wherein RX is selected such that an intermediate ether derivative, a compound of formula V formed from said reaction,

cyclizes to 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile.

The present invention provides novel ether compound, a compound of formula Va, or acid addition salt thereof,

wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl which may be optionally substituted with electron withdrawing groups and Z is a cyano group or a group that may be converted to a cyano group.

The present invention in one embodiment provides novel ether compound, a compound of formula V or acid addition salt thereof,

wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl which may be optionally substituted with electron withdrawing groups.

The present invention provides a process for preparation of a compound of formula Va, comprising reacting a compound of formula IVa, in the presence of a base with a compound of formula RX,

wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl which may be optionally substituted with electron withdrawing groups and X is selected from F, Cl, Br, I, CN, OTf and OR₁, wherein Tf represents trifluoromethanesulfonyl group, and R₁ is optionally substituted alkyl, Z is a cyano group or a group that may be converted to a cyano group.

The present invention in one embodiment provides a process for preparation of a compound of formula V,

comprising reacting 4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile, in the presence of a base, with a compound of formula RX, wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl which may be optionally substituted with electron withdrawing groups and X is selected from F, Cl, Br, I, CN, OTf and OR1, wherein Tf represents trifluoromethanesulfonyl group, and R1 is optionally substituted alkyl.

The present invention also provides (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or Escitalopram with chiral purity greater than 99.8% obtained in more than 50% yield based on (S)-(−)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile or an equivalent precursor thereof, without chiral chromatographic separation of (±)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or its precursors. Particularly the present invention can provide escitalopram with chiral purity greater than 99.8% in more than 50% yield, without use of chiral chromatographic separation, and in commercial batch sizes of greater than 10 Kg escitalopram, particularly in large batches greater than 30 Kg escitalopram.

DETAILS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

As used herein 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile may represent a racemic or an enantiomeric compound, especially (S)-(+)-isomer thereof, unless otherwise specified.

The compound of formula IVa, the compound of formula Va or the compound of formula VI represents a racemic or an enantiomeric compound, unless otherwise specified. Z is a cyano group or a group that may be converted to a cyano group. Such groups, Z, may be selected from halogen, —OH, —CHO, —CH₂OH, —CH₂NH₂, —CH₂NO₂, —CH₃, —CH₂Cl, —CH₂Br, —NHR₂, —COOR₃, —CONR₃R₄, CF₃—(CF₂)_(n)—SO₂—O— wherein n is 0-8, R₂ is hydrogen or C1to C6 alkylcarbonyl and R₂ and R₃ are selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C1 to C6 alkyl or aryl and, a group of formula VII:

wherein Y is O or S; R₅ and R₆ are each independently selected from hydrogen and C1 to C6 alkyl or R₅ and R₆ together form a C2 to C5 alkylene chain thereby forming a spiro ring; R₇ is selected from hydrogen, C1 to C6 alkyl, R₈ is selected from hydrogen, C1 to C6 alkyl, a carboxy group or a precursor group thereof, or R₇ and R₈ together form a C2 to C5 alkylene chain thereby forming a spiro ring.

When Z is halogen, in particular bromo or chloro, conversion of the compound of formula VI to form 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile may be carried out by any process as known in the art, for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,193, PCT publications WO 00/13648, WO 00/11926 or WO 01/02383.

Compounds of formula VI, wherein the group Z is CF₃—(CF₂)_(n)—SO₂—O—, wherein n is 0-8, may be converted to 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile by methods analogous to those described in PCT publication WO 00/13648.

Compounds of formula VI, wherein the group Z is —CHO, may be converted to 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile by methods analogous to those described in PCT publication WO 99/30548.

Compounds of formula VI, wherein the group Z is —NHR₂, wherein R₂ is hydrogen or alkylcarbonyl, may be converted by to 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile by methods analogous to those described in PCT publication WO 98/19512.

Compounds of formula VI, wherein the group Z is —COOR₃ or —CONR₃R₄, wherein R₃ and R₄ are selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl or aryl may be converted to 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile by methods analogous to those described in PCT publications WO 98/19511 and WO 98/19513.

Compounds of formula VI, wherein the group Z is a group of formula VII may be converted to 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile by methods analogous to those described in PCT publication WO 00/23431.

Compounds of formula VI, wherein Z is OH, —CH₂OH, —CH₂NH₂, —CH₂NO₂, —CH₂Cl, —CH₂Br, —CH₃ or any of the groups above, may be converted to 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile by methods analogous to those described in PCT publications WO 01/68632 and WO 01/85712.

Starting materials of formula IVa may be prepared according to the above mentioned patents and patent applications, which are incorporated herein by reference or by analogous methods known in the art.

The compound RX is a compound, which can react with a compound of formula IVa such as, 4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile to form a ether derivative, a compound of formula Va, via addition-elimination type reaction, X being any suitable leaving group. A suitable leaving group is any group which upon reaction of a compound of formula IVa with the compound RX, facilitates formation of an ether derivative represented by a compound of formula Va.

In a preferred embodiment RX is a compound of formula, wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl which may be optionally substituted with electron withdrawing groups and X is selected from F, Cl, Br, I, CN, OTf and OR₁, wherein Tf represents trifluoromethanesulfonyl group, and R₁ is alkyl optionally substituted with electron withdrawing groups.

RX is further selected from compounds capable of forming an ether derivative, a compound of formula Va.

In the process of the invention, a compound of formula Va is formed by reaction of compound of formula IVa with a compound of formula RX, in presence of a base. The compound of formula Va can in-situ cyclize to form a compound of formula VI. If desired it can be isolated and then subjected to cyclization in presence of a base.

In a preferred embodiment, the ether derivative compound of formula V, formed by reaction of 4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile with a compound of formula RX, in presence of a base, cyclizes in-situ to directly form 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile. However, if it is so desired, the ether derivative compound of formula V may be isolated and subjected to cyclization in presence of a base.

Further, preferably, the compound RX is not labile like methanesulfonyl chloride used in the prior art, the '712 patent, and thus resulting in an advantage of easier handling and storage and leading to preparation of chirally pure S-(+)-citalopram end product. The use of methanesulfonyl chloride may give rise to bismesylates leading to formation of undesired impurities with chirality perturbation.

The present invention provides novel ether compound, a compound of formula Va, or acid addition salt thereof,

and a process for preparation thereof comprising reacting a compound of formula IVa, in the presence of a base, with a compound of formula RX,

wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl which may be optionally substituted with electron withdrawing groups and X is selected from F, Cl, Br, I, CN, OTf and OR₁, wherein Tf represents trifluoromethanesulfonyl group, and R₁ is optionally substituted alkyl, Z is a cyano group or a group that may be converted to a cyano group.

The present invention in one embodiment provides novel ether compound, a compound of formula V, or acid addition salt thereof,

and a process for preparation thereof comprising reacting 4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxy methyl)benzonitrile, in the presence of a base, with a compound of formula RX,

wherein R is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl which may be optionally substituted with electron withdrawing groups and X is selected from F, Cl, Br, I, CN, OTf and OR₁, wherein Tf represents trifluoromethanesulfonyl group, and R₁ is optionally substituted alkyl.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides 4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(2-nitro-4-chlorophenoxymethyl)benzonitrile, a compound of formula VIII, or acid addition salt thereof,

and a process for preparation thereof comprising reacting 4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)-benzonitrile, in the presence of a base, with 2,5-dichloronitrobenzene.

In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention provides novel (S)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(2-nitro-4-chlorophenoxymethyl)benzonitrile or an acid addition salt thereof for example, hydrochloride salt.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the present invention provides (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(2-nitro-4-chlorophenoxymethyl)benzonitrile hydrochloride.

The acid addition salt of compound of formula V, Va or VIII may be prepared by any standard method of contacting the compound of formula V, Va or VIII with an acid, for example inorganic acid like hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and the like or organic acid like oxalic acid, citric acid, succinic acid, cinnamic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid and the like.

As used herein, “alkyl” may be any straight, branched, or cyclic alkyl group of C1 to C6 atoms, optionally substituted with one or more electron withdrawing groups selected from nitro, halo, cyano, 4-trifluoroalkyl, 2,4-bis(trifluoroalkyl), 2,6-bis(trifluoroalkyl), —CHO, —COOR₉, wherein R₉ may be alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl.

As used herein, “alkenyl” may be any straight, branched, or cyclic alkyl group of C1 to C6 atoms, optionally substituted with one or more electron withdrawing groups selected from nitro, halo, cyano, 4-trifluoroalkyl, 2,4-bis(trifluoroalkyl), 2,6-bis(trifluoroalkyl), —CHO, —COOR₉, wherein R₉ may be alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl.

As used herein, “aryl” may be a mono-, bi- or polycyclic aromatic system, for example phenyl, naphthyl, optionally substituted with one or more electron withdrawing groups selected from nitro, halo, cyano, 4-trifluoroalkyl, 2,4-bis(trifluoroalkyl) or 2,6-bis(trifluoroalkyl), —CHO, —COOR₉, wherein R₉ may be alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl.

As used herein, “heteroaryl” may be a mono-, bi- or polycyclic aromatic system containing one or more hetero atom which may be same or different, for example quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, pyridinyl, indanyl, fluorenyl, oxazolyl, pyrazinyl, thienyl, quinazolinyl, benzimidazolyl and the like optionally substituted with one or more electron withdrawing groups selected from nitro, halo, cyano, 4-trifluoroalkyl, 2,4-bis(trifluoroalkyl) or 2,6-bis(trifluoroalkyl), —CHO, —COOR₉, wherein R₉ may be alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl.

As used herein, “hetero atom” may preferably be selected from N, O, S or P.

The base used may be selected from an alkoxide, wherein the alkyl residue is C1 to C6 linear, branched or cyclic alkyl and the counter ion is an alkali or alkaline earth metal; alkali or alkaline earth metal oxide, hydroxide, carbonate or bicarbonate or an amine base. The amine base may be selected from aliphatic or aromatic amines, cyclic or acyclic amines, for example isoquinolines, quinolines, dialkylarylamines, pyridine, substituted pyridines. The base may be selected from moderate bases that do not favor the formation of bisalkoxides thus providing control over the derivatization of the primary alcohol group of the diol.

The ether derivative compounds represented by a compound of formula V or Va can cyclize to form citalopram or enantiomers thereof. When the diol compound, viz., a compound of formula IV or IVa is used in enantiomeric form, derivatized to form an ether derivative thereof, a compound of formula V or Va, it cyclizes stereoselectively to afford enantiomerically pure citalopram.

In a preferred embodiment, the group R is:

wherein one or more of a, b and c may be carbon or hetero atom which may be same or different, P and Q may be selected from electron withdrawing groups like NO₂, CF₃, CN, halogen, COOR₉, CHO and the like, wherein R₉ is alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl.

In another preferred embodiment the compound of formula RX is selected from the group consisting of the following compounds:

In one embodiment the present invention provides a process for preparation of racemic 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile comprising reacting racemic 4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)-benzonitrile, with a compound of formula RX, in presence of a base. Preferably the compound of formula RX is dichloronitrobenzene.

In another embodiment the present invention provides a process for preparation of enantiomeric 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile comprising reacting enantiomeric 4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)-benzonitrile, with a compound of formula RX, in presence of a base. Preferably the compound of formula RX is dichloronitrobenzene.

In another preferred embodiment the present invention provides a process for preparation of (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile comprising reacting (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile, with a compound of formula RX, in presence of a base. Preferably the compound of formula RX is dichloronitrobenzene.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the present invention provides a process for preparation of (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile comprising reacting (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile with 2,5-dichloronitrobenzene, in presence of a base to form a compound of formula VIII,

and cyclization of compound of formula VIII.

The embodiment of the process of the present invention whereby (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile, is reacted with a compound of formula RX, in presence of a base has been found to be surprisingly advantageous over the processes known in the art. This process is capable of providing (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or Escitalopram with chiral purity greater than 99.8% obtained in more than 50% yield based on (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)-benzonitrile or an equivalent precursor thereof, without chiral chromatographic separation of (±)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or its precursors. Particularly the process can provide escitalopram with chiral purity greater than 99.8% in more than 50% yield, without use of chiral chromatographic separation, and in commercial batch sizes of greater than 10 Kg escitalopram, particularly in large batches greater than 30 Kg escitalopram.

As defined above the yield of escitalopram is based on the precursor particularly (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile. Equivalent precursors that may be used in the process of the present invention and from which the yields of escitalopram may thereby be calculated include compounds of formula IV a′

Z, may be selected from halogen, —OH, —CHO, —CH₂OH, —CH₂NH₂, —CH₂NO₂, —CH₃, —CH₂Cl, —CH₂Br, —NHR₂, —COOR₃, —CONR₃R₄, CF₃—(CF₂)_(n)SO₂—O— wherein n is 0-8, R₂ is hydrogen or C1 to C6 alkylcarbonyl and R₂ and R₃ are selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C1 to C6 alkyl or aryl and, a group of formula VII:

wherein Y is O or S; R₅ and R₆ are each independently selected from hydrogen and C1 to C6 alkyl or R₅ and R₆ together form a C2 to C5 alkylene chain thereby forming a spiro ring; R₇ is selected from hydrogen, C1 to C6 alkyl, R₈ is selected from hydrogen, C1 to C6 alkyl, a carboxy group or a precursor group thereof, or R₇ and R₈ together form a C2 to C5 alkylene chain thereby forming a spiro ring.

The process of the present invention may be carried out in any suitable solvent. Examples of solvents that may be used are alcohol solvents like methanol, ethanol, t-butanol, polyethyleneglycol; ketone solvents like acetone, methyl iso-butyl ketone; ether solvents like tetrahydrofuran, dioxane; ester solvents like ethylacetate, butylacetate; amide solvents like dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide; nitrile solvents like acetonitrile; dipolar aprotic solvents like dimethylsulfoxide, sulfolane; hydrocarbon and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents having a boiling point greater than 70° C.

The process of the present invention can be carried out in a suitable solvent with a base at temperature ranging from ambient to the reflux temperature of the selected solvent. The reaction may be completed in 0.5 to 40 hours, preferably 0.5 to 20 hours depending on the selected solvent and base.

In a typical procedure, the reaction may be worked-up by quenching by addition of 2 to 10 volumes, preferably 3 to 8 volumes of water to the reaction solvent, depending on the product solubility in the selected solvent, at temperature between the range of 0° C. to 100° C., preferably 20° C. to 60° C. The reaction mixture may be extracted with a suitable water-immiscible solvent like toluene, ether, ethylacetate.

If desired, 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile may be converted to a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof by treatment with organic or inorganic acid. Examples of organic acids are oxalic, fumaric, succinic mandelic, benzoic, p-toluenesulfonic acid and the like. Examples of inorganic acids are hydrobromic, hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, nitric and the like. The preparation of salt formation may be carried out in a solvent like acetone, water, methanol, isopropanol, dimethylformamide or mixture thereof.

The worked out examples given below illustrate the process and not to be construed as limiting.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation of citalopram oxalate

To a solution of 10 gm of (RS)-(+) 4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)-benzonitrile in 50 ml of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) at room temperature was added 12 gm of anhydrous K₂CO₃ and 6.73 gm of 2,5-dichloronitrobenzene was added to the above reaction mixture at room temperature and stirred at 100° C. for 15 hours. To the reaction mixture, 250 ml of water was added and extracted with toluene, the toluene layer was washed with water and 5% sodium hydroxide solution and after acid base treatment yielded an oily product. The oil was dissolved in 40 ml of acetone at 30° C. and 3.4 gm of oxalic acid dihydrate was added to it, stirred, cooled, filtered and dried at 60° C.

Dry wt: 7.8 gm.

Example 2 Preparation of (S)-(+)-citalopram oxalate

To a solution of 6 gm of (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile in 60 ml tetrahydrofuran (THF) was added 4.33 gm of potassium tertiary butoxide at 0-10° C. and stirred for 30 minutes. A solution of 4.04 gm of 2,5-dichloronitrobenzene in 30 ml THF at 0-10° C. was added to it and stirred for 10-15 hours at room temperature, followed by addition of 250 ml of water. The reaction mixture was extracted with toluene, the toluene layer was washed with water and 5% sodium hydroxide solution and after acid base treatment yielded an oily product. The oil was dissolved in 16 ml of acetone at 30° C. and 1.75 gm of oxalic acid dihydrate in 8 ml acetone was added to it, stirred, cooled, filtered and dried at 60° C. to get the oxalic acid salt of (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino) propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile.

Dry wt: 4.3 gm, [α]_(D)=+11.8° (c=1, methanol).

Chiral HPLC: R-isomer content: 0.64%

Example 3 Preparation of (S)-(+)-citalopram oxalate

To a solution of 6.0 gm of (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile in 30 ml of DMSO at room temperature was added 7.3 gm of anhydrous K₂CO₃ and 4.04 gm of 2,5-dichloronitrobenzene was added to the above reaction mixture at room temperature and stirred at 100° C. for 15.0 hours. To the above reaction mixture, 120 ml of water was added, and extracted with toluene. The toluene layer was washed with water and 5% sodium hydroxide solution and after acid base treatment yielded an oily product. The oil was dissolved in 16 ml of acetone at 30° C. and 1.9 gm of oxalic acid dihydrate in 8 ml of acetone was added to it, stirred, cooled, filtered and dried at 60° C.

Dry wt: 4.1 gm, [α]_(D)=+12.62° (c=1, methanol).

Chiral HPLC: R-isomer content: 0.2%

Example 4 Preparation of (S)-(+)-citalopram oxalate

To a solution of 64 Kg of (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile in 300 lit DMSO was added 77.48 Kg of anhydrous K₂CO₃ and 43.06 Kg of 2,5-dichloronitrobenzene at room temperature and stirred for 16 hours at 100-105° C. To the reaction mixture 3000 ml of water was added at about 30° C. The reaction mixture was extracted with toluene, the toluene layer was washed with water and 5% sodium hydroxide solution and after acid base treatment yielded an oily product. The oil was dissolved in 510 lit of isopropanol at about 30° C. and 20.4 lit water added, stirred for 10 minutes and 20.8 Kg of oxalic acid dihydrate was added and heated to about 70-75° C., stirred, charcolised, cooled and filtered. The filtrate was cooled to 5-10° C. slowly and the resultant solid was filtered, dried at 60° C. and micronised to get the oxalic acid salt of (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile.

Dry wt: 61.5 Kg, [α]_(D)=+13.85° (c=1, methanol).

Chiral HPLC: R-isomer content: 0.38%.

Purity by HPLC: 99.25%.

Example 5 Preparation of S-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(2-nitro-4-chlorophenoxymethyl)-benzonitrile hydrochloride

To a solution of 5.6 gm of (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile in 85 ml THF was added 2.02 gm of potassium tertiary butoxide at 0-10° C. and stirred for 10 min. 3.14 gm of 2,5-dichloronitrobenzene was added to the reaction mixture at 0-10° C. and stirred for 10-15 hrs at RT (30-35° C.), solvent distilled under vacuum and 40 ml of water was added, and extracted with toluene, toluene layer was washed with water and 10% sodium hydroxide solution and distilled to get an oily product, which is purified by column chromatography using silica gel and ethylacetate, Wt: 500 mg. The above oily product was dissolved in 10 ml of isopropanol (IPA) at 30° C. and 2.0 ml of IPA-HCl was added, stirred and solvent distilled under vacuum and crystallized in IPA to get (−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(2-nitro-4-chlorophenoxymethyl)-benzonitrile hydrochloride whose structure was confirmed by IR, NMR and Mass spectral data.

Dry wt: 300 mg, [α]_(D)=−46.8° (c=1, methanol).

Analysis calculated for C26H26N3O4Cl2F: C, 58.44; H, 4.90; N, 7.86; found: C, 57.42; H, 4.65; N, 7.33.

¹HNMR (400.13 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ1.42-1.43 (broad m, 1H); 1.75-1.76(broad m,1H); 2.32-2.47(m, 2H); 2.70(s,6H); 3.00-3.13(m, 2H); 5.03(d, J=14.01 Hz, 1H); 5.43(d, J=14.04 Hz,1H); 6.43(s,1H); 6.52(d, J=9.09 Hz, 1H,); 7.18(t, J=8.85 Hz, 2H); 7.39(dd, J₁=8.71 Hz, J₂=5.41 Hz, 2H); 7.54(dd, J₁=8.97 Hz, J₂=2.63 Hz, 1H); 7.90(s, 1H); 7.96(d, J=8.25 Hz,1H); 8.03(d, J=8.25 Hz, 1H,); 8.08(d, J=2.63 Hz, 1H); 10.36(s, 1H).

¹³CNMR (100.61 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ18.44 (t); 38.87 (t); 41.86 (2q); 56.47 (t); 67.83 (t); 76.63(s); 110.49(s); 114.84(2d, J=21.23 Hz); 116.11(d); 124.93(d); 118.48(s); 124.17(s); 127.57(d); 127.88(2d, J=8.02 Hz); 130.99(d); 131.31(d); 133.84(d); 136.47(s); 139.55(s); 140.89[s(d, J=2.80 Hz)]; 149.27(s); 149.45(s); 160.91[s(d, J=243.67 Hz)].

Mass: CI Mode, M⁺=498.20(0.87%); (M-173)=325.30(100.0%).

IR (KBr): cm-¹ 735.02, 747.45; 1162.70, 1230.44; 1507.93, 1603.51; 1283.12, 1528.82; 2226.34; 2935.53, 3039.88, 3062.31; 3249.93.

Example 6 Preparation of (S)-(+)-citalopram

To a solution of 100 mg of (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(2-nitro-4-chlorophenoxymethyl)benzonitrile hydrochloride in 2.0 ml of DMSO was added 64.5 mg of potassium carbonate at 30-35° C. and stirred for 30 min at 95-100° C. After reaction completion which is monitored by TLC, 40 ml of water was added, and extracted with toluene, toluene layer was washed with water and 10% sodium hydroxide solution and distilled out toluene to get an oily product.

Wt: 65.0 mg

Chiral HPLC: S-isomer content: 100%.

¹HNMR (400.13 MHz, CDCl₃) δ1.27-1.38 (m,1H); 1.41-1.53 (m,1H); 2.13(s, 6H);2.09-2.25(m, 4H); 5.15(d, J=12.96 Hz, 1H); 5.19(d, J=12.96 Hz, 1H); 6.98-7.02(m, 2H); 7.38-7.49(m, 4H); 7.58(d, J=7.77 Hz, 1H).

Example 7 Preparation of (S)-(+)-citalopram

Given Below in Table I is the Comparison Between (S)-(+)-citalopram oxalate Prepared by:

A] the prior art process using the methanesulfonyl ester derivative (Experiments A(1), A(2) and A(3)) and

B] the process of the present invention using the ether derivative compound VIII (Experiments B(1), B(2) and B(3)):

TABLE I (S)-(+)-citalopram oxalate Chiral HPLC Input Batch purity % Specific optical HPLC Experiment No. of the S- R- rotation Unknown No. Batch No. starting diol isomer isomer (1% methanol) Purity % impurity % A(1) 1511- PN 42701 98.96 1.04 +13.1° 99.59 0.18 S/F/771/15 A(2) 1511- PN 41864 99.16 0.84 +13.0° 99.69 0.09 S/F/771/16 A(3) 1511- 1511- 99.15 0.85 +12.9° 98.95 0.6 S/F/771/20 S/II/771/10A B(1) 1511- PN 42701 99.66 0.34 +13.2° 99.76 0.05 S/F/771/17 B(2) 1511- PN 41864 99.62 0.38 +13.1° 99.77 0.05 S/F/771/18 B(3) 1511- 1511- 99.77 0.23 +13.4° 99.76 0.03 S/F/771/19 S/II/771/10A

Experiment A(1):

To a solution of 16 gm of (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile in 128 ml dichloromethane was added 14.2 gm of triethylamine, stirred and cooled and 8.0 gm of methanesulfonylchloride was added at below 10° C. and stirred at less than 10° C. for 1.0 hr. To the reaction mixture 65 ml of water was added and extracted with dichloromethane. The dichloromethane layer was washed with water and distilled and dissolved the material in toluene, the toluene layer was washed with water and distilled to get an oily product. The oil was dissolved in 50 ml acetone and 5.12 gm of oxalic acid dihydrate in 50 ml acetone was added to it at room temperature, stirred and cooled. The filtrate was cooled to 5-10° C. slowly and the resultant oxalate salt was filtered, dried at 60° C. and purified by dissolving in 420 ml acetone, heated to reflux temperature, stirred to get clear solution, charcolized and distilled to a residual volume of 75 ml, cooled to 5-10° C. slowly and the resultant solid was filtered, dried at 60° C. to get the oxalic acid salt of (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile.

Dry wt: 9.4 gm

[α]_(D)=+13.1° (c=1, methanol).

Chiral HPLC: R-isomer content: 1.04%.

Purity by HPLC: 99.59%.

Experiments A(2) and A(3) have been carried out in similar way as in Experiment No. A(1). Comparative Experiments A(1), A(2) and A(3) have been carried out according to the teaching of prior art, U.S. Pat. No. Re 34712, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Experiment B(1):

To a solution of 16 gm of (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile in 75 ml DMSO was added 19.3 gm of anhydrous K₂CO₃ and 10.8 gm of 2,5-dichloronitrobenzene at room temperature and stirred for 15 hours at 100-105° C. To the reaction mixture 750 ml of water was added at about 30° C. The reaction mixture was extracted with toluene, the toluene layer was washed with water and 5% sodium hydroxide solution and after acid base treatment yielded an oily product. The oil was dissolved in a mixture of 125 ml IPA and 5 ml water at 30° C. and 5.3 gm of oxalic acid dihydrate was added to it, heated to 70-75° C., stirred and charcolized to get clear solution, cooled to 5-10° C. slowly and the resultant oxalate salt was filtered, dried at 60° C. and purified by dissolving in a mixture of 140 ml isopropanol and 5.6 ml water at 30° C. heated to 70-75° C., stirred to get a clear solution, cooled to 5-10° C. slowly and the resultant solid was filtered, dried at 60° C. to get the oxalic acid salt of (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile.

Dry wt: 13.3 gm

[α]_(D)=+13.2° (c=1, methanol).

Chiral HPLC: R-isomer content: 0.34%.

Purity by HPLC: 99.76%.

Experiments B(2) and B(3) have been carried out in similar way as in Experiment No. B(1), which illustrate the process of the present invention.

It is evident from the data presented in Table I and the worked out examples, that (S)-(+)-citalopram prepared by the process of the present invention contains R-isomer in the range of 0.00 to 0.38%, whereas (S)-(+)-citalopram prepared by the prior art process of methanesulfonyl ester derivative contains R-isomer in the range of 0.84 to 1.04%.

Example 8 Preparation of (S)-(+)-citalopram oxalate

To a solution of 54.5 kg of (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile in 255 lit DMSO was added 66.0 kg of anhydrous K₂CO₃ and 36.7 kg of 2,5-dichloronitrobenzene at room temperature and stirred for 16 hours at 100-105° C. To the reaction mixture 2550 lit of water was added at about 30° C. The reaction mixture was extracted with toluene, the toluene layer was washed with water and 5% sodium hydroxide solution and after acid base treatment yielded an oily product. The oil was dissolved in 435 lit IPA at 30° C. and 17.7 kg of oxalic acid dihydrate was added to it, heated to 70-75° C., stirred and charcolised the clear solution, cooled, The filtrate was cooled to 5-10° C. slowly and the resultant solid was filtered, dried at 60° C. and micronised to get the oxalic acid salt of (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile.

Dry wt: 44.2 kg (% Yield=67%), [α]_(D)=+12.94° (c=1, methanol).

Chiral HPLC: R-Isomer Content: 0.08%.

Purity by HPLC: 99.56%.

It is seen that this example provides (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or Escitalopram with chiral purity greater than 99.8% obtained in more than 50% yield based on (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile or an equivalent precursor thereof, without chiral chromatographic separation of (±)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or its precursors, and in commercial batch size of greater than 30 Kg escitalopram.

Example 9 Preparation of (S)-(+)-citalopram oxalate

To a solution of 54.5 kg of (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile in 255 lit DMSO was added 66.0 kg of anhydrous K₂CO₃ and 36.7 kg of 2,5-dichloronitrobenzene at room temperature and stirred for 16 hours at 100-105° C. To the reaction mixture 2550 lit of water was added at about 30° C. The reaction mixture was extracted with toluene, the toluene layer was washed with water and 5% sodium hydroxide solution and after acid base treatment yielded an oily product. The oil was dissolved in 435 lit IPA at 30° C. and 17.7 kg of oxalic acid dihydrate was added to it, heated to 70-75° C., stirred and charcolised the clear solution, cooled, The filtrate was cooled to 5-10° C. slowly and the resultant solid was filtered, dried at 60° C. and micronised to get the oxalic acid salt of (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile.

Dry wt: 46.10 kg, [α]_(D)=+13.28° (c=1, methanol).

Chiral HPLC: R-isomer content: 0.05%.

Purity by HPLC: 99.62%.

It is seen that this example provides (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or Escitalopram with chiral purity greater than 99.8% obtained in more than 50% yield based on (S)-(−)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxy-1-butyl]-3-(hydroxymethyl)benzonitrile or an equivalent precursor thereof, without chiral chromatographic separation of (±)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or its precursors, and in commercial batch size of greater than 30 Kg escitalopram. 

1. (canceled)
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or Escitalopram with HPLC purity greater than 99.5% and a chiral purity greater than 99.5% obtained without chiral chromatographic separation of (±)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile, in more than 50% yield based on the S-enantiomer of the compound of formula IVa,

wherein Z is a cyano group or a group that may be converted to a cyano group selected from the group consisting of halogen, —OH, —CHO, —CH₂OH, —CH₂NH₂, —CH₂NO₂, —CH₃, —CH₂Cl, —CH₂Br, —NHR₂, —COOR₃, —CONR₃R₄ and CF₃—(CF₂)_(n)—SO₂—O— wherein n is 0-8, R₂ is hydrogen or C1 to C6 alkylcarbonyl and R₂ and R₃ are selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C1 to C6 alkyl or aryl and, a group of formula VII:

wherein Y is O or S; R₅ and R₆ are each independently selected from hydrogen and C1 to C6 alkyl or R₅ and R₆ together form a C2 to C5 alkylene chain thereby forming a spiro ring; R₇ is selected from hydrogen, C1 to C6 alkyl, R₈ is selected from hydrogen, C1 to C6 alkyl, a carboxy group or a precursor group thereof, or R₇ and R₈ together form a C2 to C5 alkylene chain thereby forming a spiro ring.
 5. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or Escitalopram according to claim 4, wherein the escitalopram has a chiral purity greater than 99.7%.
 6. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or Escitalopram according to claim 4, wherein the escitalopram has a HPLC purity greater than 99.7%.
 7. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or Escitalopram according to claim 4, wherein the escitalopram has a chiral purity greater than 99.7% and an HPLC purity greater than 99.7%.
 8. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile as claimed in claim 4, wherein the yield represents a quantity greater than 10 kg escitalopram.
 9. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile as claimed in claim 4, wherein the yield represents a quantity greater than 30 kg escitalopram.
 10. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or Escitalopram with an HPLC purity greater than 99.2% and chiral purity greater than 99.8% obtained without chiral chromatographic separation of (±)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile, in more than 50% yield based on the S-enantiomer of the compound of formula IVa,

wherein Z is a cyano group or a group that may be converted to a cyano group selected from the group consisting of halogen, —OH, —CHO, —CH₂OH, —CH₂NH₂, —CH₂NO₂, —CH₃, —CH₂Cl, —CH₂Br, —NHR₂, —COOR₃, —CONR₃R₄ and CF₃—(CF₂)_(n)—SO₂—O— wherein n is 0-8, R₂ is hydrogen or C1 to C6 alkylcarbonyl and R₂ and R₃ are selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C1 to C6 alkyl or aryl and, a group of formula VII:

wherein Y is O or S; R₅ and R₆ are each independently selected from hydrogen and C1 to C6 alkyl or R₅ and R₆ together form a C2 to C5 alkylene chain thereby forming a Spiro ring; R₇ is selected from hydrogen, C1 to C6 alkyl, R₈ is selected from hydrogen, C1 to C6 alkyl, a carboxy group or a precursor group thereof, or R₇ and R₈ together form a C2 to C5 alkylene chain thereby forming a spiro ring.
 11. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile as claimed in claim 10, wherein the yield represents a quantity greater than 10 kg escitalopram.
 12. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile as claimed in claim 10, wherein the yield represents a quantity greater than 30 kg escitalopram.
 13. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or Escitalopram according to claim 10, wherein the escitalopram has a HPLC purity greater than 99.5%.
 14. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or Escitalopram according to claim 10, wherein the escitalopram has a HPLC purity greater than 99.7%.
 15. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or Escitalopram according to claim 11, wherein the escitalopram has a HPLC purity greater than 99.5%.
 16. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or Escitalopram according to claim 11, wherein the escitalopram has a HPLC purity greater than 99.7%.
 17. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or Escitalopram according to claim 12, wherein the escitalopram has a HPLC purity greater than 99.5%.
 18. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or Escitalopram according to claim 12, wherein the escitalopram has a HPLC purity greater than 99.7%.
 19. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile or Escitalopram with a sum of chiral impurity and HPLC impurity no greater than 0.8% obtained without chiral chromatographic separation of (±)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile, in more than 50% yield based on the S-enantiomer of the compound of formula IVa,

wherein Z is a cyano group or a group that may be converted to a cyano group selected from a group consisting of halogen, —OH, —CHO, —CH₂OH, —CH₂NH₂, —CH₂NO₂, —CH₃, —CH₂Cl, CH₂Br, —NHR₂, —COOR₃, —CONR₃R₄ and CF₃—(CF₂)_(n)—SO₂—O— wherein n is 0-8, R₂ is hydrogen or C1 to C6 alkylcarbonyl and R₂ and R₃ are selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C1 to C6 alkyl or aryl and, a group of formula VII:

wherein Y is O or S; R₅ and R₆ are each independently selected from hydrogen and C1 to C6 alkyl or R₅ and R₆ together form a C2 to C5 alkylene chain thereby forming a spiro ring; R₇ is selected from hydrogen, C1 to C6 alkyl, R₈ is selected from hydrogen, C1 to C6 alkyl, a carboxy group or a precursor group thereof, or R₇ and R₈ together form a C2 to C5 alkylene chain thereby forming a Spiro ring.
 20. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile as claimed in claim 19, wherein the yield represents a quantity greater than 10 kg escitalopram.
 21. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile as claimed in claim 19, wherein the yield represents a quantity greater than 30 kg escitalopram.
 22. (S)-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofuran carbonitrile as claimed in any of the claims 19 to 21, wherein the sum of chiral impurity and HPLC impurity is not greater than 0.5%. 